Several programs are available that provide help in paying for heating and related costs (though they will not pay the whole bill). You may be eligible even if heat is included in your rent. The programs help low-income households. For example, one person with an annual gross income up to $13,290 or a family of 3 with an annual gross income up to $22,530 can qualify for assistance. Any household with elderly and disabled member(s) whose annual gross income is up to 200% of the federal poverty guideline also may qualify for assistance. If you need additional information, you can contact Department of Social Services at 1-800-842-1132.You can also call your local Community Action Agency, INFOLINE by dialing 211, or the DSS Energy Line at 1-800-842-1132 to find out where you can apply. Your local Community Action Agency will take an application. When you call, be sure to ask what documents you need to bring (for example, paycheck stubs or Social Security checks, etc.). Home visits are available for those who cannot leave the home because of disability or illness.

Now is the time to apply. It can take up to 45 days to process your application, although you should be able to get a fuel delivery within a day, beginning November 1st, if you need one immediately. The program is scheduled to take applications until April 30th, but, if funding runs low, applications could be shut down before then. Bills for deliverable fuels (oil, propane, coal, kerosene or wood) will only be paid if the fuel was delivered before March 30th, even though the application deadline is April 30th.

Low-income households (for example, those on cash or other state assistance, as well as some others with limited income) get help to pay heating costs. Benefits can also be used for a clean, tune and test of a deliverable fuel heating system. If you are on cash assistance or food stamps, you should receive a CEAP application in the mail by December 1. If you do not, call your local Community Action Agency or INFOLINE at 211. There is an asset limit.

Benefits will be available for heating fuel deliveries made between November 1, 2002 and March 30, 2003 (unless funds run out) and for utility service used as the primary heat source. Benefits range from $200 to $535, depending on income, the number of people in the household, and whether a household member is under 6 years, over 60 years or disabled. Benefits are paid directly to the fuel company or utility. If heat is included in the rent, and the rent is more than 30% of household income, benefits are also available under CEAP (but not CHAP). These benefits range between $60 and $90 and are paid directly to the household.

At this time, CHAP is not available, pending final federal funding levels. CHAP income limits are higher than CEAP. Benefits are available to households within the income guidelines that are not eligible for CEAP.

CEAP provides crisis assistance and safety net benefits for households that use deliverable fuel (oil, propane gas, coal, kerosene, & wood) and have used up all their heat benefits by March 30, 2003. The benefit is up to $200 for each fuel delivery. More safety net benefits may be available after crisis benefits have been used up, but only if requested before March 15, 2003. Utility heated house-holds cannot get this benefit.

Between November 1, 2002 and April 30, 2003 (earlier if funds run out), if a CEAP recipient owns his/her own home and the heating system is unsafe or inoperable, heating system repairs or replacement are available. In addition to the above help, on a year-round basis homeowners who receive TFA, AFDC, AABD or SAGA from the state may be able to get emergency home repairs through DSS, if the repairs allow them to continue living in their home.

Operation Fuel provides emergency energy assistance for people who are not eligible for energy assistance. Additionally, assistance may be available for energy assistance recipients for utility or energy bills not covered by the state’s energy assistance program. Apply for this assistance at your local fuel bank. Call your local Community Action Agency or INFOLINE for the nearest fuel bank.

Many households that get energy assistance for their gas service can participate in an "arrearage forgiveness program". This is a payment program that forgives back bills based on the amount of payments the household makes and the amount of energy assistance received. Apply for this program each November, or as soon as possible after November. Electric companies also have arrearage forgiveness programs, but they are not available to all low-income customers. Contact your utility company for more information.

This program may provide emergency help for veterans, spouses, and their children. Call your local Community Action Agency or INFOLINE to find out where to apply in your town.

Low-income households can get electric service and gas heating service during the winter moratorium (Nov. 1 through April 15) even if they owe money to the utility. Gas heating customers who had their service shut off may have to pay $100 to get turned on.  Electric customers cannot be required to make a payment to get service. However, this is a good time to set up a payment arrangement that is affordable.

Owners and renters who are low-income can get free help with weatherization or energy conservation, including services that will make your home or apartment more comfortable and reduce your utility and energy bills. In rental situations the landlord will have to give permission. When you apply for energy assistance, ask for weatherization help. You can also call your electric company. NU/CL&P customers: call 1-800-286-5844 and ask for weatherization assistance. UI customers call 1-800-722-5584, ignore the instructions, wait until someone answers and ask for "UI Helps Weatherization Assistance"; or call your local Community Action Agency or INFOLINE for more information.

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